US781552A - Tree rack or holder. - Google Patents

Description

No. 781,552. PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

` R, A. MBK. 'TREE RACK 0R HOLDERt APPIVAIOATION FIIAS'D JUNIA18V, 1903., l

' To all .wh/071e it may concern:

' A Be itknown that I, RUDOLPH A. Rmx, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fond du UNITED STATES Patented January s1, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

- TREE RACK OR HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,552, dated January 31, 1905. Application filed June 18, 1903. Serial Nor-162,139.

Lac, in the county of Fond du Lac and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Tree Rack or Holder, of which the following is a specification.. Y

This inventionrelates to tree racks or holders such as are commonly employed for supporting Christmas trees.

The object of the invention is to present a device of the character specified in which the tree may be readily and securely clamped in place and easily removed when desired; furthermore, to simplify the construction of such v devices and render the same collapsible when not in use, thus to-save space in storage and transportation.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a tree rack or holder, as will be hereinafter f fully described and claimed. Y

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference lindicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of ernbodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited maybe varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation exhibiting the device in operative position with the treel assembled therewith. v l Fig. 2 is a view exhibiting the deviceas it appearswhen collapsed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan view showing the diferent parts of the device. Fig. 4 isv-an enlarged detail view of the upper portion, showing more clearly certain parts not fully exhibited in Figs. 1 and 2.

The holder comprises two standards land 2, one of .which is smaller than the other to ofthe ends of the bases and projecting above A the base vof the standard. 2 to present a spur to engage the bottom or butt of the tree. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the standards are approximately triangular in elevation; but it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited'to this particularshape, as the parts may be otherwise contoured and still be within the scope of the invention. The sides 4 and 5 of the standards terminate in upstanding clamping members 'and 7, the inner side of each of which is provided with a spur or prong 8, adapted to be sunk into the bod-y to be supported, and the outer sides of the said members being provided with pawls 9 and 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Surrounding the clamping members is a clamping-ring 11, on the inner side or surface of which are arranged a plurality of toothed cam-surfaces 12,

in this instance four in number, correspondingto thenumber of pawls, and with-which the latter engage to hold'the spurs 8 in positive engagement with the tree T, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. to Fig, 1, `theupper .portion of the clamping members 6 and 7 are reduced from the points 13 upward, the free terminals ofthe clamping members being outturned to facilitate insertion therebetween of the tree. vThe object of reducing the upper lportion of the clamping members is to permit the spurs 8 to be `moved out of engagement with the tree when the latter is to be removed. To facilitate turning of the clamping member, the latter is provided with a plurality of arms 14, asclearly shown in Fig. 3.

In operation the clamping-ring is turned to such positionas to cause the pawls to be free from engagement with the toothed cams. When the ring isthus positioned, the clamping members will be distended owing to their resilient character, and the tree is then inserted between them and its butt isseated upon the spur 3. The ring is then turnedin the direction 'to bring the pawls into engagement with the cams, and in this movement the clamping members are moved inward, causing the spurs 8 to sink into the tree, in which they are positively heldby cooperation between the pawls and the toothed cams. When the tree isto As it will be noted by reference ing elements until it reaches the reduced upper portion thereof, whereupon the spurs will spring out of engagement with the tree and the latter may be removed.

The device of this invention is exceedingly simple of construction and will be found of the highest eiiiciency and durability in use and may be readily and cheaply manufactured without the employment of expensive machinery for the purpose.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A holder comprising a plurality of clamping members each provided with a spur, a clamping-ring surrounding the elements and having toothed cam-surfaces coacting there-V with, and means for holding the ring at any desired adjustment on the said members.

2. A hold er comprising a plurality of clamping members each provided with a spur and withy a pawl, and a clamping-ring having toothed cam-surfaces to be engaged by the pawls.

3. A holder comprising a plurality of yielding clamping members each provided with a spur and with a rigid pawl, and a clampingring having toothed cam-surfaces to be engaged bythe pawls.

4. A holder comprising a plurality oiyieldg ing clamping elements each provided with a spur and with a rigid pawl, a clamping-ring surrounding the clamping elements and provided with toothed cani-surfaces to be engaged by the pawls, the clamping elements above the operative plane of the clamping-ring heing reduced to permit the ring` to he moved out of engagement with the pawls.

5. A holder comprising a pair of standards adapted to be nested, the bases of the standards being connected by a spur, a spur and a pawl carried by the terminals ol each of the standards, and a clamping-ring encircling the terminals and having toothed cani-suriaeosto be engaged by the pawls.

6. Aholdercomprisingapluralityolclaniping elements each provided with a spur and a pawl, a clamping-ring having toothed calnsnrfaces to be engaged by the pawls and radial arms carried by the ring.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aliixed my signature in the presence oi' two witnesses.

RUDOLPH A. Rllll.

Witnesses:

EDw. RIEK, O'r'ro l. KonN'rorr.

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